Is Houston or Rocky Mount Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Rocky Mount is safer than Houston (Safety Score 4/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,745 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 13% lower. Houston has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Rocky Mount has a 43% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 42.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rocky Mount — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Rocky Mount, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Rocky Mount | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 4,745.2 | +696.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 765.4 | +382.9 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 12.9 | +0.9 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 38.7 | +34.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 156.8 | +117.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 557.0 | +230.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 3,979.9 | +313.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 739.5 | -94.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 2,849.3 | +96.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 391.0 | +312.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Rocky Mount safer?
Rocky Mount is safer with a total crime rate of 4,745 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Rocky Mount has 765.4. Rocky Mount has lower violent crime.
About Houston, TX
Houston, the "Space City," is a sprawling metropolis in Southeast Texas, home to NASA's Johnson Space Center. Its diverse population makes it one of the most multicultural cities in the U.S., with significant Hispanic and Asian communities. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 2,319,160, Houston has a total crime rate of 5,441.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Rocky Mount, NC
Rocky Mount, straddling Nash and Edgecombe counties, is a former railroad town with a rich tobacco heritage. Situated along the Tar River, it serves as a regional hub in eastern North Carolina. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 54,223, Rocky Mount has a total crime rate of 4,745.2 per 100,000 residents.